In three or four days after beginning the cure, patient had fever, and in ten days another strong attack: his feet and legs became much inflamed, attended with headache and great debility.
His former treatment was now abandoned for the following:
Three packing-sheets, one after the other, until warm; then the tepid bath for fifteen minutes: from that into the cold bath for two minutes, and return to the tepid again for fifteen or twenty minutes. This was to be repeated in the afternoon. When fever subsided, patient renewed his former treatment, and was perfectly cured in three months. I saw him in Rome the next year, when he was perfectly well; and as an act of gratitude to Mr. Priessnitz, he had caused to be painted a picture of the “eternal city,” to send for his acceptance.
Intermittent Fever.—General R—— was attacked with intermittent fever at the siege of Mantua, in 1798. His complaint resisted all remedies: his liver became hardened and enlarged, exhibiting a tumour extending three fingers’ breadth above his navel. Came to Gräfenberg thin as a skeleton, complexion nearly livid, unable to walk without the assistance of two persons. Obstinate indigestion and constipation; no motion for fifteen years, without aid; congestion of blood to the head, and threatened apoplexy; insupportable sensitiveness to cold. Arrived at Gräfenberg in 1839; now restored to health: liver restored to normal size, with merely a slight swelling at epigastric region.
His treatment was:—morning, partial baths (tepid), twenty minutes, with strong friction; no water in the bath when patient first entered it, that being poured over his head and shoulders.
After one month of this treatment, sweating for half an hour, followed by partial bath for five minutes; noon, tepid sitz-bath (70 deg.) for half an hour; repeated in the afternoon.
In two months patient could walk alone. During the third month, sweating for an hour, and partial cold bath for five minutes; and sitz-baths were now cold; eighteen glasses of water, drunk daily; fourth month:—after sweating, the large plunge-bath, and friction by two men; twenty to twenty-four glasses of water, daily. Fifth month:—appetite good; commenced ascending the mountains. The douche found to excite too much: therefore abandoned.
August, 1840:—Left Gräfenberg: his liver softer, though not sensibly diminished. Recommended, whilst at home, to wear heating bandages always, and use cold ablutions, but not to transpire, unless pain of liver occurs.
In January, 1841, eruptions on the skin, and many ulcers, made their appearance.